Camp Oo-U-La is a week-long summer camp held every year specifically for burn injured children. The camp, which gives the children numerous self-esteem building activities and special events to attend, is sponsored by the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation and held at Camp Twin Lakes Will A Way at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder. Each year these children, who have had their lives disrupted by tragedy, get a week to spend time with peers who understand the difficulties that each other go through. This year I photographed the camp for the Barrow Patch. Here are my favorite images from camp.
Kenneth Bullard, a counselor at Camp Oo-U-La, waves to campers as he walks up the trail at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder on Wednesday June 8, 2011. Camp Oo-U-La is a week long summer camp for children with burn related injuries to socialize and interact with others.
Carlin Conner, left, Emily Music, Laura Bates, Meghan Ingalsbe and Blessing Ezeudu raise their glasses filled with Sprite to cheers as they ride in a limosine parade around Winder during Camp Oo-U-La at Fort Yargo State Park on Wednesday June 8, 2011. Camp Oo-U-La is a week long summer camp for children with burn related injuries to socialize and interact with others.
Jonathan Harrington, left, hangs out of the window of a limosine as he talks to Kat Taylor as they return from a trip through downtown Winder during Camp Oo-U-La at Fort Yargo State Park on Wednesday June 8, 2011. Camp Oo-U-La is a week long summer camp for children with burn related injuries to socialize and interact with others.
Reflected in the door of a fire truck, Haylee Williams and Kendra Wilson meet with firefighters from Walton County who sponsored their cabin at Camp Oo-U-La at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder on Wednesday June 8, 2011. Camp Oo-U-La is a week long summer camp for children with burn related injuries to socialize and interact with others.
Jade Benford, left, Kendra Wilson and Haylee Williams ride on a minature fire truck golf cart with their fellow cabinmates as they enter Camp Oo-U-La at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder on Wednesday June 8, 2011. Camp Oo-U-La is a week long summer camp for children with burn related injuries to socialize and interact with others.
Maddy Moore, right, Haylee Williams and Shania Payton color as they prepare for their skit in the upcoming talent show during Camp Oo-U-La at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder on Wednesday June 8, 2011. Camp Oo-U-La is a week long summer camp for children with burn related injuries to socialize and interact with others.
Kyhrie Harris, who placed second in this year's GHSA state track meet, plays up to a crowd of his fellow campers before competing in a 50 meter dash during Camp Oo-U-La at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder on Wednesday June 8, 2011. Camp Oo-U-La is a week long summer camp for children with burn related injuries to socialize and interact with others.
Wearing a mask to protect his scars from the sun, Mason Tiner, left, watches two campers compete in a 50 meter dash race during Camp Oo-U-La at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder on Wednesday June 8, 2011. Camp Oo-U-La is a week long summer camp for children with burn related injuries to socialize and interact with others.
Khyrie Harris, left, looks over towards Kaliyah Perkins as they compete in a 50 meter dash during Camp Oo-U-La at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder on Wednesday June 8, 2011. Camp Oo-U-La is a week long summer camp for children with burn related injuries to socialize and interact with others.
Jasmine Billings, center, leads her team in a cheer at the start of the olympic games for Camp Oo-U-La at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder on Wednesday June 8, 2011. Camp Oo-U-La is a week long summer camp for children with burn related injuries to socialize and interact with others.
Kyhrie Harris, left, helps paint the face of Tyler Hancock during the olympic games for Camp Oo-U-La at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder on Wednesday June 8, 2011. Camp Oo-U-La is a week long summer camp for children with burn related injuries to socialize and interact with others.
De'Asia Scott tosses a marshmallow covered in pudding while participating in a relay race during the olympic games for Camp Oo-U-La at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder on Wednesday June 8, 2011. Camp Oo-U-La is a week long summer camp for children with burn related injuries to socialize and interact with others.
Water rains down from a fire hose covering close to 100 campers during the olympic games for Camp Oo-U-La at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder on Wednesday June 8, 2011. Camp Oo-U-La is a week long summer camp for children with burn related injuries to socialize and interact with others.
Nigel Augburn, right, leaps into the air to hit an inflatable ball covered with shaving cream during the olympic games for Camp Oo-U-La at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder on Wednesday June 8, 2011. Camp Oo-U-La is a week long summer camp for children with burn related injuries to socialize and interact with others.
Macy Costley, left, smears shaving cream on Abel Nemeth as he tries to dodge the hands of another camper during the olympic games for Camp Oo-U-La at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder on Wednesday June 8, 2011. Camp Oo-U-La is a week long summer camp for children with burn related injuries to socialize and interact with others.
Awesome article!
My daughter goes to this camp and she loves it!
Thank you